A TOP notch display from Gerallt Lyall helped to guide Denbigh to a notable away day North Wales Cricket League success over the weekend.

Lyall was in terrific form with both bat and ball as the Ystrad Road side claimed an excellent 39-run triumph at Premier Division title wannabes Llandudno.

Win number eight for the season means that a title push isn’t beyond the realms of possibility from Denbigh’s viewpoint and they trail leaders Bangor by fewer than 30 points with nine games remaining.

With regular skipper Stuart Griffiths unavailable for the trip, Joe Clayton was Denbigh’s captain for the day and he elected to bat first after winning the toss.

A solid start was provided for Denbigh courtesy of a good stand between openers Gerallt Lyall and Jackson Braddock-Pajo.

The total had reached 46 when Braddock-Pajo was dismissed by Tom Thornton for 32.

Llandudno turned the screw after this and the match saw a watershed moment when Denbigh were reduced to 84-4.

Things could have gone either way at this stage, but thankfully for the visitors, two decent partnerships placed them into a powerful position.

Lyall and captain for the day Joe Clayton put on 54 for the fifth wicket, before the opener was run out for 56.

Clayton wasn’t for shifting, though, and he gained fine support from former first team captain Ben Wilcox-Jones as Denbigh took their tally beyond 200.

Wilcox-Jones (18) and Clayton compiled a vital sixth wicket partnership of 65 to put the home side on the back foot.

Clayton eventually top scored with 71 and Andy Clarke struck a late 10 not out as the away side reached 224-8 from their 50 overs.

Tom Thornton (4-60) was Llandudno’s star bowling performer.

While there were a few decent efforts when it was the home side’s turn to make use of the batting track, the lack of sizeable partnerships meant that Denbigh retained the upper hand.

Opener Dan Evans (27) and number four bat Rhydian Morgan (13) enjoyed decent starts to their innings, however the duo failed to build on this and Denbigh’s bowlers were able to reduce their hosts to 66-5.

Kevin James (41) and Ajay Dhawan (30) attempted to turn things back in Llandudno’s favour, but the hosts were finally dismissed for 185 in the 48th over.

Following on from his half-century earlier in the day, Gerallt Lyall claimed the man of the match honours as he bagged a fantastic 5-38 return from his 11 overs.

The remaining wickets were shared by Jack Griffiths (1-25), Andy Clarke (1-25), Harrison Jones (1-40), Kieran Lucas (1-30) and David Schrimshaw (1-20).